Evelyn Jeannine Kelly
Active member of St. Paul AME Church
Evelyn Jeannine Kelly, 84, of Remington, Va., a longtime resident of Washington, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, May 29, 2013, in Mt. Carmel East Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, following a brief illness, while visiting her daughter.
She was born September 24, 1928, in Canonsburg, a daughter of the late James “Jumbo” and Eva Jane McGant Brown.
Mrs. Kelly accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior at an early age. She was a member of St. Paul AME Church in Washington and had been a member of Payne AME Church in Canonsburg. She served as the church pianist/organist from the age of 12. While residing in Virginia, she attended Silver Hill Baptist Church in Bealeton, Va., where her son, the Rev. James R. Kelly, is a pastor and where she also served as pianist. She was more affectionally known as “Mother Kelly” and served in many other ministries of the churches and affiliate organizations of which she was a member. She often could be recognized in the congregation as standing and praising God during the services. Displaying her love for the Lord, she made friends with all whom she came into contact.
On August 4, 1949, she married Ralph Kelly Jr., who died December 10, 2006.
She was a longtime bus driver for Schweinebraten Bus Co. as well as working for her husband’s trucking and bus companies. She served as an officer in the businesses owned and operated by her husband.
Surviving are a daughter, Phyllis “Patsy” Scott (Robert “Bo”) of Reynoldsburg, Ohio; a son, James R. Kelly III of Remington, with whom she made her home; a brother, George Brown (Lillian) of Beaver Falls; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Deceased is a brother, Keith Brown.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the time of service, Wednesday, June 5, in St. Paul AME Church, 16 Ridge Avenue, Washington, with the Rev. James Kelly as eulogist. Interment will be private. Arrangements have been entrusted to McIlvaine-Speakman Funeral Home Ltd., Robert K. McIlvaine, 27 Cherry Avenue, Houston, PA 15342. Condolences may be left by viewing the obituary at www.mcilvaine-speakman.com.